Gang jailed over street rampage

Three other members of the gang have not yet been caught

A gang of thugs who rampaged down Manchester's main shopping street and attacked two tourists and three shop workers have been jailed.

The attack, which left one of the victims with a shattered face, was captured on CCTV cameras.

The gang attacked two Irish teenagers on Market Street last November, and three other men who came to their aid.

Three of them were jailed for three years, and three for 15 months at Manchester Crown Court.

All six, who were all from Salford, admitted violent disorder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Three hunted

Twins Aaron and Bradley McClenan, 18, of Antares Avenue, Lower Broughton, were sentenced to three years at a young offenders institution.

Harry Wooley, 23, of Richborough Close, was jailed for three years, and 118 days from a previous unexpired term.

Four of the gang were caught with the help of CCTV footage

Marcus Tansey, 21, of Burland Close, Lower Broughton, Brendan Heeney, 21, of St Joseph's Drive, Ordsall, and Jamie Smith, 22, of Pevensey Road were all jailed for 15 months.

Three other members of the gang are still being hunted by police.

The initial victims were two Irish teenagers, aged 18 and 19, who were walking down Market Street.

Metal plate

After the gang set on them, three shop workers, aged 20, 24 and 38 from Tesco Metro came to their assistance but the gang attacked them as well.

One of the shop workers required a metal plate to be inserted into his face and the other suffers from blackouts and the third received a black eye.

The two Irish men suffered cuts and bruises.

After a chase from police officers, two of the men were arrested on the night, and the other four were identified from CCTV camera footage.

Speaking after the sentences were handed out, Pc David Henshall from Greater Manchester Police said: "This was a vicious and senseless attack, but shows the value of the city's CCTV system.

"Due to the cameras, the operators could guide the officers to the scene and aid in arresting two of the men straight away."